Systems and methods for holding and implanting bone anchors

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods for a guide assembly for introducing a bone anchor to an operative target site. The guide includes an outer sleeve and an inner sleeve. The outer sleeve has a distal anchor engaging end, a proximal end, and a central passage extending from the distal end to the proximal end. The inner sleeve may be situated in the central passage of the outer sleeve. The inner sleeve is movable being between a first position and a second position. The first position permits insertion of the bone anchor in the central passage. The second position releasably fixes the bone anchor to the guide assembly.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/322,815, filed on Feb. 6, 2009 (now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,439,922) which claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/026,719, filed on Feb. 6, 2008, the entire contents of which is hereby expressly incorporated by reference into this disclosure as if set forth fully herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

I. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to medical devices and methods for deploying bone anchors to an implantation site.

II. Discussion of the Prior Art

Bone anchors are often surgically implanted into a patient as part of a spinal fixation or stabilization construct. Fixation systems are often to aid in the stabilization of a damaged spine or to aid in the correction of other spinal geometric deformities. Spinal fixation systems are often constructed as a framework stabilizing a particular section of the spine. Existing systems often use a combination of rods, plates, pedicle screws and bone hooks for fixing the framework to the affected vertebrae. The configuration required for each patient varies due to the patient's specific anatomical characteristics and ailments.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a guide assembly for introducing a bone anchor to an operative target site. The guide includes an outer sleeve and an inner sleeve. The outer sleeve has a distal anchor engaging end, a proximal end, and a central passage extending from the distal end to the proximal end. The inner sleeve may be situated in the central passage of the outer sleeve. The inner sleeve is movable being between a first position and a second position. The first position permits insertion of the bone anchor in the central passage. The second position releasably fixes the bone anchor to the guide assembly.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a guide assembly for introducing a bone anchor to an operative target site. The bone anchor includes a housing having a pair of opposed arms. There is an outer sleeve and an inner sleeve. The outer sleeve has a distal end, a proximal end, and a central passage extending from the distal end to the proximal end. The distal end of the outer sleeve includes first and second lateral projections dimensioned to engage first and second recesses formed in the housing. The distal end also includes first and second longitudinal ridges dimensioned to be received within first and second longitudinal grooves formed in the housing. The inner sleeve has a distal end and a proximal end. The inner sleeve may be situated in the central passage and moveable along a longitudinal axis between an open position and a closed position. The closed position temporarily fixes the housing to the guide assembly. The inner sleeve further includes third and fourth longitudinal ridges that are received within third and forth longitudinal grooves in the housing when the inner tube is in a closed position. In some implementations the guide assembly may include a locking element.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be more fully understood from the following detailed descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a spinal fixation construct including a pair of bone anchors, fasteners and, including (by way of example only) first and second pedicle screws and a connecting element;

FIG. 2 is front view of a guide assembly of couple to a bone anchor according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view the guide assembly of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a cross section view of the guide assembly of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a cross section view of the a proximal portion of the guide assembly of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a cross section view of the proximal end of the guide assembly of FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a cross section rotated 90 degrees for view of the proximal end of the guide assembly of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is an end view of the inner guide member of FIG. 2;

FIG. 9 is a longitudinal view of the outer guide member of FIG. 2;

FIG. 10 is a side view of the bone anchor housing; according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 11-14 illustrate the insertion and locking of the bone anchor into the guide assembly of FIG. 2, according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a side view of an alternate guide assembly, according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 16-18 illustrate the insertion and locking of the pedicle screw assembly into the distal portion of the guide assembly;

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Illustrative embodiments of the invention are described below for the purposes of understanding the principles of the invention. No limitation of the scope of the invention is therefore intended. In the interest of clarity, not all features of an actual implementation are described in this specification. It will be appreciated that in the development of any such actual embodiment, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve the developers' specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which will vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it will be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time-consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure. The system disclosed herein boasts a variety of inventive features and components that warrant patent protection, both individually and in combination.

With reference to FIG. 1, a pair of bone anchors 12 are shown as they might be utilized to form a spinal fixation construct 10 (including the pair of anchors, a rigid connecting element 14 linking the bone anchors, and a pair of fasteners 15 for securing the connecting element 14 to the bone anchors 12) for preventing movement between a pair of adjacent vertebra. The bone anchors 12 include an anchor element 16 configured for purchase within the bone, for example, a screw, at the implantation site and a housing 18 for coupling the bone anchor to the connecting element 14. The housing 18 may be fixed to the anchor element 16 or the housing 18 may be coupled to the anchor element 16 such that the housing may move in one or more planes relative to the anchor element 16. The housings 18 include two arms separated by a pair of slots which collectively form a generally “U-shaped” structure defining or containing an area dimensioned to receive the connecting element 14 and thereafter the locking screw 15 (e.g. a threaded lock screw). In some implementations the connecting element 14 may be flexible to provide support and stabilize the adjacent vertebrae without limiting all motion therebetween. Also, more than two bone anchors 12 may be used to link three or more vertebra together (e.g. multi-level). The bone anchors 12 may be positioned on both sides of the spine forming a bi-lateral construct. The bone anchors 12 may also be anchored in implantation sites other than the pedicles show, for example only, the bone anchors 12 could be implanted in the anterolateral aspect of the vertebral body.

Turning to FIG. 2, there is illustrated an example embodiment of a guide assembly 100 operable to temporarily engage and hold a bone anchor 12 and aid in the implantation of the bone anchor at a desired implantation site. The guide assembly 100 securely grasps the housing 18 of the bone anchor 12. The length of the guide assembly is generally provided such that at least a portion of the assembly will extend beyond a skin incision when an attached bone anchor 12 is fully implanted in the target site. Thus a surgeon may manipulate the guide assembly 100 from a position outside the operative corridor to advance and position the bone anchor in the desired location. An instrument (not shown) may be advanced through the guide assembly 100 to engage the anchor portion 16 and drive the anchor portion in to the target bone. Slots 104 may be provided in the guide assembly 10 to further help guide a connecting element into to the bone anchor housing 18.

As shown in FIG. 3-5, the guide assembly 100 includes an outer sleeve 110 and an inner sleeve 120. The outer sleeve 110 may be generally cylindrical in shape and have a length extending from a distal end 101 configured to engage bone anchors to a proximal end 103. The length is dimensioned such that the proximal end 103 will extend beyond the skin entry site when the distal end 101 is positioned adjacent an implantation target site. A central passageway 170 (as shown in FIG. 9) extends through the outer sleeve from the distal end 101 to the proximal end 103. The outer sleeve 110 may further include a pair of opposed slots 104 opening at the distal end 101 and extending longitudinally along the outer sleeve to a position short of the proximal end. Preferably, slots 104 have a length great enough such that the proximal end of the slot remains outside the patient entry site when the distal end 101 of the outer sleeve 110 is adjacent the implantation site. Keyholes 102 having a width greater than the width of the slots 104 may be provided, connecting to the slots 104 at the proximal ends of slots 104. The keyholes 102 allow a connecting element 14 having one or more enlarged ends, as in FIG. 1, to be advanced into the slots 104. Together, the central passageway 170, open distal end 101, and opposed slots 104 generally divide the outer sleeve 110 into two halves or arms 105.

The inner sleeve 119 includes a main sleeve 120, a sleeve extension 130, and a cap 140. In general, the inner sleeve 119 has a generally cylindrical shape extending from a distal end 121 to a proximal end 145 and an interior passageway 160 (FIG. 12) extending between the distal end 121 and the proximal end 145. The length of inner sleeve 119 is preferably such that when the distal end 121 is positioned adjacent an implantation target site, the proximal end 145 extends beyond the proximal end 103 of the outer sleeve. The inner sleeve 119 is situated in the outer sleeve 110 and configured to translate longitudinally along a longitudinal axis relative to the outer sleeve in order to engage a portion of the bone anchor housing 18 and temporarily fix the bone anchor to the guide assembly.

The main sleeve 120 is situated within the central passageway 170 of the outer sleeve. The inner sleeve 120 may further include a pair of opposed slots 124 alignable with the slots 104 of the outer sleeve. The slots 104 open at the distal end 121 and extend longitudinally along the outer sleeve to a position short of the proximal end 123 of the main sleeve. Preferably, slots 124 have a length that is the same or similar to the slots 104 in outer sleeve 110. Keyholes 122 having a width greater than the width of the slots 124 may be provided, connecting to the slots 124 at the proximal ends of slots 124. Slots 104 of the outer sleeve 110 and slots 124 of the main sleeve 120 may have widths of approximately the same dimension selected such that a connecting element 14 may pass along the slots. Together, the interior passageway 160, open distal end 121, and opposed slots 124 generally divide the main sleeve 120 into two halves or arms 125.

The sleeve extension 130 is configured to join with the main sleeve 120 and may have a generally cylindrical shape. The sleeve extension 130 has a distal end 131 and a proximal end 133. The sleeve extension 130 has an interior lumen that extends from the distal end 131 to the proximal end 133 and forms part of interior passageway 160. Sleeve extension 130 and main sleeve 120 are joined such that they are longitudinally fixed relative to each other but can rotate freely about a longitudinal axis relative to each other. To accomplish this, two or more tabs 127 are situated at the proximal end 123 of the main sleeve and include radial ridges 126. A complementary radial groove 138 is provided in an inner wall of the sleeve extension 130 and receives the radial ridges thus preventing the longitudinal motion the main sleeve 120 and sleeve extension 130. Sleeve extension 130 is also fashioned with threaded region 136 dimensioned to engage threads 108 situated along a portion of the inner wall of outer sleeve 110 (best viewed in FIG. 9). At the proximal end 133 of the sleeve extension 130 a series of tabs 137 protrude laterally from a ring 134 for coupling the cap 140 via a series of corresponding apertures 144 in the cap.

The cap 140 is situated on the proximal end of the sleeve extension 130 and provides a grip for rotating the sleeve extension 130 in order to advance the threaded region 136 along the outer sleeve threads 108, thereby longitudinally adjusting the position of the inner sleeve 119 relative to the outer sleeve 110. The cap 140 has at least two slots 142 opening at the proximal end 143 for coupling a reduction extension, described below.

According to one example, the cap 140 may form part of a locking mechanism that prevents the guide assembly 100 from disengaging from the bone screw housing 18 until a user disengages the locking mechanism. The locking mechanism may comprise a series of teeth 148 situated about the distal end 143 of the cap 140 and a complementary series of teeth 108 situated about the proximal end 103 of the outer sleeve 110. According to one example the teeth 108 generally include a perpendicular face and a sloped face. Likewise, the teeth 148 also each include a perpendicular face and a sloped face. The teeth 108 and 148 are further arranged so that when the cap 140 is rotated, for example, in a clockwise direction to translate the inner sleeve 119 toward the distal end 101 (to affix the bone anchor housing 18) the sloped faces of teeth 108 and 148 engage, allowing the teeth to slide past each other. When the cap 140 is rotated in the opposite direction to translate the inner sleeve 119 toward the proximal end 103 (to detach the bone anchor housing 18) the perpendicular faces of teeth 108 and 148 will engage, preventing further rotation in that direction. To disengage the locking mechanism, the cap 140 is simply pulled in a direction away from the outer sleeve. To make the cap 140 longitudinally movable relative to the sleeve extension 130, the apertures 144 are provided with a height greater than the height of the tabs 137. Additionally, the cap 140 may be biased towards the most distal position such that the locking mechanism automatically engages as the inner sleeve 119 is translated through the outer sleeve 110 toward the distal end. This may be accomplished, for example, by positioning a spring 146 between cap 140 and the sleeve extension 130.

With reference to FIGS. 6-14, the guide assembly 100 securely engages the bone anchor 12 at the distal end. The central passageway 170 of the outer sleeve is dimensioned to receive the housing 18 at the distal end 103. A cutout region, best viewed in FIG. 12, provides an access path for side loading the housing 18 into the central passage way 170. Once the housing is loaded, the inner sleeve 120 is advanced distally toward the housing, by rotating the inner sleeve clockwise (by way of example). When the inner sleeve moves towards the distal end, distal extensions 128 block the cutout region such that the housing 18 cannot be removed.

Each arm 105 of outer sleeve 110 includes a lateral projection tab 150 near the distal end 101 of the outer sleeve 110. The tabs 150 are dimensioned to engage a recess 30 found on the outer wall of the screw housing 18 as shown in FIG. 6. Slots 31 situated below and in communication with the recess 30 allow the housing to be side loaded onto the tabs 150.

With reference to FIGS. 8 and 9, within the interior passageway 160, longitudinal ridges 166 are situated on the distal extensions 128. Each protrusion 166 is dimensioned to fit in a longitudinal groove 32 in the housing 18. In addition, two grooves 162, located on the outer portion of the inner sleeve 120 and opposite of the longitudinal ridges 166, are dimensioned to receive longitudinal ridges 172 of the outer sleeve 110. A channel 164 is also provided in the outer wall of the inner sleeve 120. Grooves 162 and channels 164 extend from the distal end 121 to a position near the proximal end 123 of the main sleeve 120.

Within the central passageway 170 of outer sleeve 110, a longitudinal ridge 172 is situated on each arm 105 of the outer sleeve 110. Similarly, a tab 174 is also situated on each arm 105. Each protrusion 172 and tab 174 1 extend from the distal end 101 to a position near the proximal end 103 of the outer sleeve 120.

The tabs 174 are dimensioned to engage the channels 164 of the inner sleeve 120, such that the tabs 174 will slide within the channels 164. As illustrated in FIGS. 8-9, and by example only, the tabs 174 and channels 164 have a dovetail configuration. The protrusions 172 are dimensioned to slide within the grooves 162 of the inner sleeve 120. The interaction between the tabs 174 and the channels 164 and between the protrusions 172 and the grooves 162, the main sleeve 120 may translate longitudinally within the outer sleeve 110 while rotation of the main sleeve 120 is prevented.

Turning to FIG. 10, each arm of the bone anchor housing 18 has two longitudinal grooves 32, one on each end of the arm. One groove 32 of each arm receives the longitudinal ridge 166 of the inner sleeve 120 and the other longitudinal groove 32 engages the protrusion 172 of the outer sleeve. In addition, each arm of the housing 18 has a recess 30 dimensioned to engage the tab 150 of the outer sleeve 110. As seen in FIG. 16, each recess 30 communicates with a rectangular slot 31. The slot 31, allows the tab 150 to slide horizontally along the arm so the tab 150 engage the recess 30. Thus, when the bone anchor housing 18 is loaded in the guide assembly 100 and the inner sleeve 119 is moved into closed position, the housing 18 and guide assembly 100 are positively engaged in six locations providing a secure attachment.

FIGS. 11-14 illustrate the process of attaching the guide assembly 100 to the screw assembly 12. First (if the guide assembly is in a “closed” position), as illustrated in FIG. 11, the user pulls the cap to disengage the teeth 108 and 148. The user may then rotate the cap 140 counterclockwise (by way of example). Turning the cap 140 rotates the sleeve extension 130 whereby the threaded region 136 travels proximally along the threads 108 of the outer sleeve 110, translating the inner sleeve 119 proximally relative to the outer sleeve 110. This results in the distal end of the guide assembly 100 moving to an “open” position

Next, as shown in FIG. 12, bone anchor housing 18 is positioned in the guide assembly 100. The housing 18 is loaded into the central passageway 170 through the cutout region and the recesses 30 are engaged with the lateral projection tabs 150 two grooves 32 of the housing 18 will each receive a longitudinal ridge therein. At this stage the housing 18 is loosely held by the outer sleeve 110 only.

As shown in FIG. 18 to fully secure the bone anchor 12 in the guide assembly, the user will rotate the cap 140 clockwise. This causes the inner sleeve 120 to translate distally relative outer sleeve 110. As the inner sleeve 120 travels distally, the longitudinal ridges 166 on distal extension 128 of the inner sleeve will each engage the remaining grooves 32 of the housing 18. As the inner sleeve 119 approaches the closed or locked position locking mechanism will automatically engage as the teeth 108 and 148 meet. Once the bone anchor 12 is secured, the guide assembly may be advanced through an incision in the patient and to the implantation target site.

FIGS. 16-18 illustrate a reduction assembly 300 that may be utilized with the guide assembly 100. The reduction assembly 300 is configured to apply force to draw the housing 18 and a connecting element 14 deployed via the guide assembly 100 together prior to introducing a fastener 15. FIG. 16 depicts the reduction assembly 300 in position over a center guide assembly for deploying a multi-level construct. FIG. 17 illustrates an exploded view of the reduction assembly 300. The reduction assembly consists of a reduction sleeve 302, a reducer extension 340, and a reduction handle 330. The reduction sleeve 302 has a generally cylindrical shape with an inner lumen (not shown) dimensioned to slide over the guide assembly 100. At the distal end, openings 320 at opposite ends of the reduction sleeve 302 are dimensioned to engage the connective element 14.

With reference to FIG. 18, the tabs 346 of the reducer extension 340 engage the slots 142 of the cap 140. When the cap is “locked”, meaning the teeth 148 have engaged the teeth 108 of the outer sleeve 110, a user will insert the tabs 346 into the openings of the angled slots 142. The user will then rotate the reducer extension 340 clockwise 90 degrees until the tabs 346 are locked within the angled slots 142. The threads 344 of the reducer extension 340 engage the threads, not shown, of the reduction handle 330. The reduction handle 330 is a generally cylindrical in shape with a grip and an inner lumen that contains threads. The distal end of the inner lumen is also dimensioned to receive the proximal end of the reduction sleeve 330.

While the housing is still fixed in the guide assembly 100 and after the anchors have all been implanted in the target bone the user attaches the reducer extension 340 to the cap 140. Then the user slides the reduction sleeve 302 over the guide assembly, aligning the openings 320 to engage the connecting element 14. Finally the user slides the reduction handle 330 over the reducer extension and rotates the handle clockwise to engage the threads 344 and the threads within the reduction handle 330. The reduction handle 330 engages the proximal end of the reduction sleeve 302 and as the reduction handle 330 is rotated clockwise a force is applied on the reduction sleeve 302 Drawing the housing 18 and connecting element 14 together.

While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. By way of example, an alternative guide assembly having opposing slots of different widths and/or without keyholes (as shown in FIG. 14) may be utilized to accommodate enlarged ends on some connecting elements. In addition, it is within the scope of the invention to introduce various types of bone anchors, including but not limited to a pedicle or hook anchor. The description herein of specific embodiments is not intended to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A guide assembly for introducing a bone anchor to an operative target site, the bone anchor including a housing having a pair of opposed arms defined by first and second opposed slots formed in the housing, comprising: an outer sleeve having a distal end, a proximal end, a central passage extending from the distal end to the proximal end, a third slot open at the distal anchor engaging end and a fourth slot opposite the third slot and open at the distal anchor engaging end, wherein the distal end of the outer sleeve includes first and second lateral projections dimensioned to engage first and second recesses formed in the housing arms and first and second longitudinal ridges dimensioned to be received within first and second longitudinal grooves formed in the housing arms; and an inner sleeve having a distal end, a proximal end, a fifth slot open at the distal end and aligned with the third slot of the outer sleeve and a sixth slot open at the distal end and aligned with the fourth slot of the outer sleeve, the inner sleeve being situated in the central passage and moveable along a longitudinal axis between an open position and a closed position for temporarily fixing the housing to the guide assembly, the inner sleeve further including a third and fourth longitudinal ridges that are received within third and fourth longitudinal grooves in the housing arms when the inner tube is in the closed position, and wherein the third and fifth slot are aligned with the first slot of the housing and the fourth and sixth slot are aligned with the second slot of the housing when the first and second lateral projections of the outer sleeve are engaged in the first and second recesses of the housing.
 2. The guide assembly of claim 1, wherein the distal end of the outer sleeve includes a cutout dimensioned to pass the bone anchor housing such that said housing is permitted to be introduced into the central passageway from the side.
 3. The guide assembly of claim 2, wherein the inner sleeve comprises a pair of distal extensions extending from the distal end of the inner sleeve and dimensioned to fill the cutout region when the inner sleeve is moved into the closed position and capture the housing in the central passageway.
 4. The guide assembly of claim 3, wherein the third and fourth longitudinal ridges are situated on the distal extensions.
 5. The guide assembly of claim 1, further comprising a locking mechanism to prevent the inner sleeve from moving from the closed position until the locking mechanism is disengaged.
 6. The guide assembly of claim 5, wherein the locking mechanism automatically engages when the inner sleeve moves into the closed position.
 7. The guide assembly of claim 5, wherein a portion of the inner sleeve extends beyond the proximal end of the outer sleeve and the locking mechanism comprises a first set of teeth fashioned on the proximal end of the outer sleeve and a complementary set of second teeth fashioned on the portion of the inner sleeve extending beyond the proximal end of the outer sleeve and facing the first set of teeth.
 8. The guide assembly of claim 7, further comprising a reduction sleeve having a distal end, a proximal end, and a lumen dimensioned to slidably receive the outer sleeve therein; a reduction extension releasably attachable to a proximal end of the inner sleeve and comprising a thread formed about an outer surface of the reduction extension; and a handle comprising a lumen with an internal thread complementary to the thread formed on the reduction extension such that rotation of the handle causes the handle to move along the longitudinal axis, wherein the handle contacts the proximal end of the reduction sleeve and advancing the handle along the reduction extension towards the bone anchor causes the reduction sleeve to advance along the outer sleeve toward the bone anchor such that an elongate element in contact with the distal end of the reduction sleeve may be persuaded towards the bone anchor housing.
 9. The guide assembly of claim 7, wherein the portion of the inner sleeve that extends beyond the proximal end of the outer sleeve is spring biased distally.
 10. The guide assembly of claim 9, wherein proximally moving the portion of the inner sleeve that extends beyond the proximal end of the outer sleeve to overcome the spring bias disengages the locking mechanism.
 11. The guide assembly of claim 7, further comprising a reduction sleeve having a distal end, a proximal end, and a lumen dimensioned to slidably receive the outer sleeve therein; a reduction extension releasably attachable to a proximal end of the inner sleeve and comprising a thread formed about an outer surface of the reduction extension; and a handle comprising a lumen with an internal thread complementary to the thread formed on the reduction extension such that rotation of the handle causes the handle to move along the longitudinal axis, wherein the handle contacts the proximal end of the reduction sleeve and advancing the handle along the reduction extension towards the bone anchor causes the reduction sleeve to advance along the outer sleeve toward the bone anchor such that an elongate element in contact with the distal end of the reduction sleeve may be persuaded towards the bone anchor housing.
 12. A guide assembly for introducing a bone anchor to an operative target site, the bone anchor including a housing having a pair of opposed arms defined by first and second opposed slots formed in the housing, comprising: an outer sleeve having a distal end, a proximal end, a central passage extending from the distal end to the proximal end, a third slot open at the distal anchor engaging end and a fourth slot opposite the third slot and open at the distal anchor engaging end, wherein the distal end of the outer sleeve includes first and second projections extending into the central passage and dimensioned to engage first and second recesses formed in the housing arms; and an inner sleeve having a distal end, a proximal end, a fifth slot open at the distal end and aligned with the third slot of the outer sleeve and a sixth slot open at the distal end and aligned with the fourth slot of the outer sleeve, wherein the third and fifth slot are aligned with the first slot of the housing and the fourth and sixth slot are aligned with the second slot of the housing when the first and second projections of the outer sleeve are engaged in the first and second recesses of the housing, the inner sleeve being situated in the central passage and moveable along a longitudinal axis between an open position and a closed position for temporarily fixing a housing to the guide assembly, the distal end of the inner sleeve including a first distal extension having a first longitudinally extending engagement feature configured to slideably engage a complementary first longitudinally extending engagement feature on the housing and a second distal extension having a second longitudinally extending engagement feature configured to slideably engage a complementary second longitudinally extending engagement feature on the housing, a portion of the inner sleeve being spring biased distally, and wherein the guide assembly includes a locking mechanism to prevent the inner sleeve from moving from the closed position until the locking mechanism is disengaged.
 13. The guide assembly of claim 12, wherein the locking mechanism automatically engages when the inner sleeve moves into the closed position.
 14. The guide assembly of claim 13, wherein the portion of the inner sleeve that is spring biased distally extends beyond the proximal end of the outer sleeve and includes a distal facing set of teeth that engage a complementary set of proximal facing teeth on the outer sleeve that comprise the locking mechanism.
 15. The guide assembly of claim 12, wherein the distal end of the outer sleeve includes a cutout dimensioned to pass the bone anchor housing such that said housing is permitted to be introduced into the central passageway from the side. 